Re: The Ole Copper vs. Lead Debate
I have several 06's...don't shoot a copper bullet out of it, it simply doesn't have the velocity to allow for proper expansion down range.
You still won't get a 165g bullet to push past 2800fps out of an 06. Which means past 300 yards you could be shedding 30% of your velocity easily, which will make a mono bullet ineffective and it will act like a FMJ.
With all due respect...i have to heartily disagree. Myself, my son and my 2 hunting partners have been shooting barnes exclusively for 20 years now. in that time we have taken over 150 animals off 3 continents at ranges from 5 feet, to 596 yards.
I will speak specifically to the 30.06 mentioned above, as it was my primary weapon for over 10 years and is still the choice of one of my partners. He started with the 168 ttsx way back when, and never saw a reason to switch....he still shoots it today. I also started with the 168, but being a tinkerer I later moved to the 175 LRX and then the 200 LRX.
in new zealand, on a light skinned goat at 596 yards the 168ttsx started at just under 2900fps made its typical entry and exit holes and turned everything in between to soup....nicked a rib going in, but no major bone contact. Hard to imagine a better scenario for "pencilling through", but it performed perfectly
a b.c. moose shot at 400 yds with a 175 LRX started at 2800 fps.....hit a rib going in, small exit wound, lungs mangled. bull turned straight away and my follow up at the base of the neck shattered spine and blew a large hole out the throat
a B.C. moose at 465 yds broadside with a 200 LRX started at 2650 fps.....hit the ball at the bottom of the shoulder blade, destroyed the heart and bottom of lungs, carried on in a straight line and smashed out the ball on the other side as well. Major bone was hit on that one, so take that into account.
Almost all barnes have somewhat unique operation ranges....we have a list of a bunch of them on the site here. Barnes minimum impact velocities (huntingbc.ca) Note the low minimum velocities for the 168 ttsx, 175LRX and 200 LRX
In my experience, if you give yourself 100-200fps above the stated minimum speed and keep it to 1000 ft/lbs as well, you will never have a problem with the barnes. in most cases for rounds ive loaded for, this usually gives you an effective range of 550-700 yards, depending on the cartridge used.
For the OP, who it sounds like will be 400 yds and in.....its hard for me to envision anything better than the 175 LRX at around 2800fps
This is all just my personal experience and my opinion!
Take care and good luck!
Chris
"Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Emerson